We've begun booking more and more brides without ever physically meeting them, and I'm wondering if any of you know if a contract can be considered binding if it is just electronically acknowledged.

For example, I'd draft up a custom contract for a couple, and e-mail them a PDF of it, and instead of requiring all kinds of signatures, could I just require them to acknowledge the contract, in writing, via e-mail? I was talking to some other folks about this, but I don't really know for sure.

Anyone have experience doing this in California?

Why can't they sign it and fax it back to you?

Or sign it, scan it, and email it back.

You're absolutely right, I'm just trying to take one more step out of the process, you know? If it can't / shouldn't be done, then obviously I'll just have them continue to mail/fax/scan the contract.

It would sweet to be able to shoot them a PDF, have them write back "Looks great, lets do it, here's a bunch of money." and be done with it.

I think you should talk to an attorney in your state...there are all kinds of rules about what can constitute "acceptance" of a contract, and there can be verbal contracts, etc, so you would just want to make sure you have any bases covered and that if there's specific law concerning electronic signatures, you meet any requirements set out (it may vary from state to state, and some states probably haven't considered it, or have slightly different requirements to insure it's valid).